Backup master class: Are online file lockers backup?

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In our previous stories, we’ve discussed the overarching philosophy of backup and compared several of the more popular cloud backup services. Now, we’re turning our attention to file lockers/cyber lockers. Unlike online backup services, which have existed since long before anyone thought up the term “cloud computing”, cheap/free consumer-oriented file lockers are a fairly recent phenomenon — Microsoft’s SkyDrive debuted in 2007; Dropbox launched in 2008.

Cloud storage has also become extremely popular. Asus offers online storage as a perk with its tablets. Google, Amazon, and Microsoft all have their own versions; Dropbox passed the 50 million user mark a year ago. This article discusses file lockers in general, but since we’re primarily concerned with backup rather than file sharing, it can’t be characterized as a review.

Most cyberlockers prioritize their sharing capabilities and don’t literally refer to themselves as backup services — but the language is very similar. For example:

Amazon Cloud: “Never worry about losing your precious photos, documents and videos. Store them in your Cloud Drive where they will be protected from a hard drive crash or a lost or stolen laptop.”

Dropbox: Even if you accidentally spill a latte on your laptop, have no fear! You can relax knowing that Dropbox always has you covered, and none of your stuff will ever be

Microsoft SkyDrive: “With SkyDrive, you can securely store your files.. The files and photos you store in SkyDrive are protected by first-rate security features.”

Do file lockers count as online backup services?

Yes and no. File lockers are backups in the sense that they store files in an offsite location. If your hard drive suddenly dies, the files you copied to a file locker will still be there. Like online backup services, most file lockers retain multiple versions of a file to allow you to revert changes to a document. Some also offer undelete protection; Microsoft’s SkyDrive recently implemented a Recycle Bin feature that allows you to recover files for up to 30 days after you’ve deleted them.

One of the key distinctions between a backup service and a file locker is that modern backup services typically auto-select key folders and files to back up by default. File lockers, in contrast, drop a new folder into Windows Explorer and have done. You can use Dropbox or Google Drive as a backup — provided that you manually configure all the files you want to back up to drop into appropriate subdirectories.

File lockers are often one component of a larger service, even if they’re offered to anyone who wants one. You don’t have to own a Kindle, use Google Docs, or make use of Microsoft’s various online services to use Cloud Drive, Google Drive, or Sky Drive, but all three companies make certain you’re aware of those options at each and every turn. Most content management is either handled in Windows Explorer or via a basic browser interface.

Cloud lockers also tend to handle sharing and locality differently than backup services. Mozy and Carbonite offer mobile clients that you can use to access archived data, but they don’t include external links that another person can use to access your files. As for locality, backup services nearly unilaterally insist that any data that’s to be kept backed up is also kept locally. Many file lockers offer a more nuanced policy.

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